Japan excludes Israel from Nagasaki peace ceremony

WEB DESK: Mayor Shirō Suzuki of Nagasaki announced on Monday that he’s postponing Israel’s invitation to the annual peace ceremony marking the 1945 U.S. nuclear attack on the city.

Notably Palestine’s envoy is invited, despite Japan not officially recognising Palestine as a state. Russia and Belarus, due to their respective actions and stances, are not invited

He cited concerns over the critical humanitarian situation in Gaza and international sentiment, which could lead to unforeseeable disruptions at the event.

Suzuki explained that the situation in Gaza is evolving rapidly, so they’re monitoring it closely before sending out any invitations. The ceremony, held on August 9, commemorates the devastating nuclear bombing by the U.S., which killed tens of thousands instantly and inflicted long-term suffering on many more.

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In Hiroshima, city officials are urging Israel to halt its actions in Gaza. However, Israel is invited to participate in Hiroshima’s annual commemoration of its atomic bombing. There’s a push from survivors of atomic bombings to invite all nations to attend Hiroshima’s event.

The situation in Gaza remains dire, with over 130,000 Palestinians dead, wounded, or missing from Israel’s prolonged assault. The crisis has led to mass displacement and famine, particularly in the northern Gaza Strip, where children are dying of starvation. Efforts to broker a cease-fire continue, with Japan expressing strong support for U.S. initiatives despite criticisms of U.S. aid to Israel amid accusations of complicity in genocide.